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FILM ALIVE AFTER WORLD LOCK DOWN
Opinion - Rodney Bourke

Film is very much alive in 2022!
Camera film is still available for both of the 8mm gauges and even 9.5mm camera film is once
again available. *
In the UK, the 9.5mm interest group, Group 9.5 is still going strong after 60 years, and are
planning Centenary Celebrations for the gauge.
In the 1950s Popular Photography magazine said video tape was set to replace film. By 2010 the
use of video tape had ceased and sadly the production of Kodachrome film as well. But not all
film; a good range of colour negative film, as well as black and white and Ektachrome colour
reversal film is available in various formats.

Sadly since the Pandemic some of our camera / projector repairers have closed down, retired or
passed away. As new film projectors are no longer being made, using existing film equipment is
the only option, and getting it repaired or serviced can be quite a challenge.

Film sales on eBay have skyrocketed with Derann releases fetching top money. Film supply
sources like The Reel Image in the USA and Classic Home Cinema in the UK, are seeing good
sales.

Camera film is selling well with Super 8 negative available in 50, 200 and 500 ASA speeds. I am
told by “Sydney Super 8” shop that they sell 100 rolls of Super 8 negative colour film to each
roll of Ektachrome colour, and a new Super 8 negative processing lab has opened up in Sydney
called “ Rewind Photo Lab”. Negative is very popular, because it provides a better Telecine
transfer. It can be over or under exposed by a stop and still give a good transfer.

New frame by frame digital film scanners for 8mm / Super 8 cost around $500 for a no name
brand, or the Wolverine for around $700 and Kodak now produce one for around $800. If you

have a lot of films, it can work out cheaper to do it yourself. High definition video projectors are

being sold by Australia Post, Bunnings, Big W and JB Hi Fi as low as $200.

Post lock down, has seen many changes. The popularity of Internet streaming services has seen
many of the video rental shops close. Kmart has stopped selling DVDs and some of the Sanity
stores have closed down. I guess with the now faster Internet speeds and many people sampling
streaming for the first time during the Pandemic, and with the wide variety of material available
via streaming, it was inevitable that it would take its toll on DVD sales and even subscription
services.
Happy Anniversaries to 9.5mm film (100 years), and 8mm (90 years).
Happy filming on film! Rodney
* For new 8mm camera film stock - Google the “Film Photography Project”, in the USA.
For new 9.5mm camera film stock - Google “Color Film Archives” in France.
REEL DEALS December 2022 37